Canada Come Home
  • Login
  • Home
  • The Gathering
  • Programme of events
  • Find your Family
  • Registration
  • News & Updates
  • Forum

We’ve a fantastic programme of events set up for the weekend, with a variety of activities to suit both young and old!

Let us know about which events you’d like to attend by registering your interest  Register here

 

  • Friday, 13th Sept.

  • Saturday, 14th Sept.

  • Sunday, 15th Sept.

Welcome Home Reception and Launch by Canadian Ambassador Loyola Hearn

Loyola_Hearn

This unique weekend begins with a warm Wicklow welcome, wine & Wicklow cheeses in the elegant surroundings of the restored Ballroom and Library of Coollattin House. Don period costume (optional) and mingle with both the gentry and the tenants of the Fitzwilliam Estate.

Launch of ‘Canada’s Wicklow Roots’ Exhibition

Guest speakers  Jim Rees, historian and author of Surplus People, & Joe Kenny of Kennytree.com.

‘Canada’s Wicklow Roots’ will be a new permanent, portable exhibition celebrating the lives of those who left Wicklow for a new life in Canada. Descendants are encouraged to provide us with their stories for possible inclusion.

Living History performance by ‘Lord Fitzwilliam Agent Chaloner, staff and tenants’

Lord Fitzwilliam Agent Chaloner, staff and tenants of the Fitzwilliam Estate will be particularly busy discussing the details of the Clearence but they will be on hand during the weekend to answer any of your questions about life on the estate.

Launch of New Brunswick Archives Exhibition ‘In Wake of Dark Passage’ & ‘an Honourable Independence’

Guest speaker Prof. Stewart Donovan of St. Thomas University, Fredericton, New Brunswick.
By kind permission of Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, this exhibition is on special loan to Canada Come Home and celebrates the Irish who made their home in New Brunswick including the passengers on the Star carrying passengers from the Fitzwilliam Estate to St. Andrews.

Buffet Dinner (Period Dress optional)

Enjoy Wicklow beef, Irish salmon and an array of fine local produce, while we share stories of hearth and homes, old and new.

Songs and Stories

Featuring ‘Essence’ the Irish Canadian duo of Karen Lynch and Paul Redmond and the Shillalagh Seanachaidh

Morning

Ireland Canada Golf Tournament

(Sat & Sun depending on numbers)
Coollattin Golf Club  was founded by William ( Billy) 7th Earl Fitzwilliam who was born in Canada in 1878.   Some suspect he was a ‘changling’ swapped at birth to ensure the Fitzwilliam dynasty had a male heir!

Guided Tour of Coollattin House

Finishing with tea & scones!

Meet & Greet

A chance to meet and chat with your Irish relatives over a cup of tea in the kitchen.

Genealogy in the Drawing Room

Local historians will be on hand to voluntarily help you search for your family and homestead.

It’s for the best

Assisted Emigration from the Fitzwilliam Estate with guest speaker Fidelma Byrne.

Planting of a commemorative Maple Tree

The mighty symbol of Canada in honor of all those who left our shores.

Guided Walk of Shillalagh

Tour will include tenant cottages, cemetery & homesteads.

Picnic Lunch

Local fare will be available throughout the day

Afternoon

Meet & Greet

with your Irish relatives over a cup of tea in the kitchen

Cooking Demonstration by Wicklow Irish Countrywomen’s Association

Traditional fare including Soda Bread,  Coddle etc. in the Coollattin kitchen.

Living History

Butter making for the kids and an ‘Old Skills Workshop’

Vintage Displays

Vintage automobiles, farm machinery, antiques and costume.

From Coollattin to Upper Canada

With Guest Speaker

Rousing 'Irish Night'

Enjoy a good old fashioned Ceilidh at Coollatin, with Irish Stew, Traditional Music & Set Dancing.

Morning

Ireland Canada Golf Tournament

…continues.

Guided Tour of Coollattin House

Finishing off with tea & scones.

Genealogy in the Drawing Room

Our local historians will be on hand again to help you find your family and homestead.

Guided Walk of Tinahealy

To include tenant cottages, cemetery & homesteads in the area.

Unveiling of Fitzwilliam Clearance Memorial

Digital Collage a local primary school project.

BBQ Lunch

Local fare will be available throughout the day

Afternoon

Pioneer Cooking Demonstration

Corn on the cob,  pancakes & maple syrup, pickling etc. in Coollattin garden.

Living History

Corn Shucking & Corn Dolly making for the kids and ‘Pioneer Skills Workshop’

Vintage Displays

Readings & Book signings

Ireland Canada Golf Tournament Prize-Giving

Will your name be on the trophy?

The Walk Home

We welcome the walkers/runners back home with the Arklow Pipe Band.

‘The Walk Home’ is intended to recreate in reverse the 2 day walk taken by the emigrants  as they made the journey to the harbor at New Ross.  ‘The Walk Home’ is open to all,  casual walkers or marathon runners.  You can walk or run the entire distance or walk a short stage.  The Walk will start at the Dunbrody Famine  Ship on Friday morning.

Slán Abhaile (Goodbye and Safe Home)

Closing ceremony of Canada Come Home incl. presentation to emigrant descendants.

Recent Articles

No Image
Canada Come Home on the Gathering Channel
Wicklow Calendars

You can now buy the Wicklow Calendar 2014 here for

|| Read More
Thank You

A heartfelt thanks to all those who attended the Canada

|| Read More

Copyright Canada Come Home 2013